Paper Bag Princess, the latest long player from Canadian Egyptian artist and producer Sarah Shafey, borrows its title from the 1980 children’s book, The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch.
In his book, Munsch takes the archetype of a maiden being saved by a knight in shining white armor, and turns it inside out: in Munsch’s story, the maiden relies on her own ingenuity and abilities and saves herself.
Shafey explains, “I can’t stand the idea that women have to conform to certain standards to be considered ‘attractive’ or ‘feminine.’ This outdated nonsense is still deeply ingrained in our society, often disguised insidiously as ‘free thinking.’ My new album is a rebellion against those toxic messages that have been fed to us women our whole lives.”
Paper Bag Princess not only inverts the patriarchal template of the storyline, but does so via grunge, a male-dominated genre.
According to Shafey, “I’ve always dabbled in grunge, pop, and electronic, but this time, grunge is front and center. It’s where I feel most at home. With the world feeling a bit heavy right now, this album’s my way of channeling those internal demons and finding some catharsis. There is just something about screaming over loud guitars and drums!”
A classical-trained pianist, who is not primarily a guitarist, Shafey plays all the rhythm guitar parts on the album, which she co-wrote with Jess Boomen and co-produced with Kyle Ashbourne. She also co-produced a song on the album with Michael Hanson, the Grammy-nominated and Juno-winning founder and drummer of Glass Tiger.
Recorded at The Sugar Shack Recording Studios in London, Ontario, and Altravox Studios in East Gwillimbury, Ontario, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering, Paper Bag Princess features Shafey on rhythm guitar, synths, and vocals, co-producer Ashbourne on drums, and Toronto-based A-list studio musicians Dave Usselman on lead guitar and Anthony Borek on bass.
Encompassing nine tracks, high points on the album include “I Lied to You,” with its dirty, muscular guitars and potent percussion. Topped by Shafey’s dark, portentous vocals, there’s an ominous feeling to the tune, a sensation mitigated by a shimmering, dreamy bridge.
A chugging melody imbues “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” with an irresistible motion, as Shafey’s delicious, Medusa-like voice infuses the lyrics with spectral tones. A personal favorite because of its shadowy textures, the song pulses with mystifying energy.
“Wake Up Your Heart” opens on an elegant, slightly melancholic piano that flows into a rumbling, syncopated rhythm as Shafey’s vocal phrasing summons up suggestions of Stevie Nicks. Chanting harmonies, along with the percussive cadence, give the tune a tribal presence.
The emotional push-pull of “Underwater” reveals a powerful, dreamlike soundscape revolving around Shafey’s voice, at times clipped, at other times gliding. There’s a mysterious releasing feel to the lyrics, the slow discharge of long-suppressed emotions.
“Come Over” ties the album off with aplomb. A measured ballad, layers of gentle, gleaming surfaces form a gorgeous melody, flowing and tenderly shiny. Luscious, low-slung vocals imbue the lyrics with wistful savors.
A rich, impressive album, Paper Bag Princess offers up chewy, tactile songs that you can taste and smell, that make you believe.
Follow Sarah Shafey Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify
